Addition agent for adding vanadium to iron base alloys

Abstract

Addition of vanadium to molten iron-base alloys using an agglomerated mixture of V 2 O 3 and calcium-bearing reducing agent. The mixture is added to the molten alloy by pneumatic injection with a carrier gas such as argon or nitrogen.

We claim: 
     
       1. In a method of treating a molten iron-base alloy with an additive material by injecting finely divided particles of said additive material into said molten alloy with a carrier gas stream, the improvement which comprises injecting an agglomerated blended mixture of about 50 to 70% by weight of finely divided V 2  O 3  with about 30 to 50% by weight of a finely divided calcium-bearing material selected from the group consisting of calcium-silicon alloy, calcium carbide and calcium cyanamide. 
     
     
       2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein the carrier gas is selected from the group consisting of argon and nitrogen. 
     
     
       3. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein the particle size of said agglomerated, blended mixture is from about 10 mesh up to about one-half inch. 
     
     
       4. A method for adding vanadium to molten iron-base alloy which comprises preparing an agglomerated, blended mixture of about 50 to 70% by weight of finely divided V 2  O 3  with about 30 to 50% by weight of a finely divided calcium-bearing material selected from the group consisting of calcium-silicon alloy, calcium carbide and calcium cyanamide, reducing the agglomerated, blended mixture so prepared to a particle size in the range of from about 10 mesh up to about one-half inch, suspending the particles of said agglomerated, blended mixture in a carrier gas and then injecting the carrier gas-particle mixture pneumatically into the molten iron-base alloy. 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the carrier gas is selected from the group consisting of argon and nitrogen. 
     
     
       6. A method according to claim 4 wherein said calcium-bearing material is calcium-silicon alloy. 
     
     
       7. A method according to claim 4 wherein said calcium-bearing material is calcium carbide. 
     
     
       8. A method according to claim 4 wherein said calcium-bearing material is calcium cyanamide.